Water System for Outdoor Grill

ABSTRACT

A self-contained, gravity-fed, water system for providing hot and cold running water for use in outdoor or remote settings is disclosed. The system includes an elevated water storage unit, a grill or smoker unit, a sink station, a waste water storage unit and piping all attached and secured to a transportable platform. Water pressurization is provided by the elevated storage unit and the grill or smoker provides the source of heat for generating hot water within the system.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to methods or systems for providing hot (and cold) water for use in outdoor or remote settings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simplified, self-contained, gravity-fed water system designed for use with an outdoor grill or smoker component wherein the grill or smoker component provides the heat source for the water system and wherein the entire system is easily transportable.

There is a need and/or desire for having hot and cold running water available for use at outdoor events, or at remote facilities, such as camping sites, hunting and fishing retreats, family/friends gatherings, picnics, tailgate gatherings, etc., especially where food must be cooked or prepared. There is also a need for a simplified, self-contained, easily transportable system for providing hot and cold running water where natural disasters may have occurred or for military activities conducted at remote locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a simplified method and system for producing hot and cold running water in outdoor settings especially where food preparation and sanitary clean-up is needed or desired. It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and system for producing hot and cold running water that is self-contained and easily transportable.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a portable, self-contained, gravity-fed water system comprises a large cylindrical grill or smoker unit attached to a transportable platform to which is also attached an elevated water storage tank, a sink station, a waste water storage tank and piping for providing hot and cold water to the sink station. Piping for hot water extends from the elevated water storage tank through an elongated boiler tube located within the grill unit and extending internally essentially the length of the grill unit, and back to the sink station. Piping for cold water extends from the elevated water storage tank directly to the sink station. Said elevated water storage unit providing, through gravity, the source of pressurization for the system. Once a fuel source, such as charcoal or wood, is ignited within the grill unit, hot running water becomes immediately available at the sink station for use in food preparation, sanitation and/or cleanup. The waste water storage tank is attached to the platform at a location below the sink station for receiving and containing used or contaminated water for proper recycling or disposal.

An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot and cold running water in outdoor settings where external power sources may be unavailable or may not be desired.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot and cold running water that does not rely on an external source of pressurized water.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot and cold running water which would be useful or desirable at remote facilities such as camp grounds, parks, retreats or at remote military outposts or operations.

A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot and cold running water that will comply with all health code requirements for human use.

The invention is also particularly advantageous in that the entire system is self-contained and is therefore easily moved or transported.

A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot running water wherein the source of fuel for producing the hot water can be any combustible material such as wood or charcoal.

Another important advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for producing hot and cold running water which is easily transportable and is very useful in natural disaster situations wherein external power sources such as electricity or natural gas or other utility systems may have been interrupted or are not immediately available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference char-acters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the assembled components of the system attached to a transportable platform.

FIG. 2 is a perspective frontal view of the assembled components of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the assembled components of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side, partially sectioned, view of the assembled components of the present invention as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the piping connecting various components of the system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the boiler tube shown extending through and across the interior of the grill unit component of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled, self-contained, portable, gravity-fed, water system 10. The system 10 comprises a cylindrical grill component 20, an elevated water storage and supply component 30, a sink station component 40, a waste water storage component 50, and a piping system component 60. The assembled system 10 of the present embodiment is shown attached to a transportable platform 70 which can be towed behind a typical pickup truck or other motorized vehicle.

The grill component 20 of the system 10, as best seen in FIGS. 2 & 3, comprises an elongated cylindrical grill unit 21 having at least one hinged lid component 22 and containing one or more horizontal and removable grate components 23. Said grate components 23 are positioned within the grill unit 21 for receiving food during the cooking process. The grill unit 21 also comprises a pair of vent or exhaust tubes 24 which extend and protrube from the top of said grill unit 21. The grill unit 21 is of sufficient dimension to allow the placement of combustible material, such as wood or charcoal, in the space beneath the grate components 23. The grill unit 21 further comprises a boiler tube component 25 which enters the grill unit 21 from one end and, as best seen in FIG. 6, extends, internally and laterally, along essentially the length of the grill unit 21, to a point 26 where said boiler tube 25 is caused to exit said grill unit 21.

The elevated water storage component 30 of the present embodiment comprises a cylindrical tank member 31 for receiving and holding fresh water. A fill cap 32 is positioned at the top of said fresh water storage tank member 31 for receiving fresh water for storage as needed or desired for the operation of said system 10. Said tank member 31 is structurally positioned within the system 10 so as to be in the proximity of, and physically above, the grill unit 21 and the other components of the system 10.

The piping system component 60 of the present embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 & 5, comprises a cold water pipe 61 which extends from the bottom of the tank member 31 of the elevated water storage component 30 and connects to one end of the boiler tube 25 of said grill unit 21. Said cold water pipe 61 also connects to the sink station component 40 as shown. Said piping system component 60 further comprises a hot water pipe 62 which, as best seen in FIGS. 3 & 5, is connected to the end of said boiler tube 25 once said boiler tube 25 is caused to exit the grill unit 21. Said hot water pipe 62 extends from said boiler tube 25 and is connected to the sink station component 40 as shown. The piping system 60 further comprises drainage ports 63 located on lowest point of the cold water pipe 61 and the hot water pipe 62 respectively for draining the system 60 during periods of cold weather or non-use to prevent pipe damage due to freezing temperatures or the buildup of rust in the system 60 during extended periods of non-use.

The sink station component 40 of the present embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 2 & 3, comprises a pair of sink units 41. Said sink units 41 comprise a right side sink unit 41A and a left side sink unit 41B. The right side sink unit 41A of said sink station 40 receives the cold water pipe 61 extending from the bottom of the storage tank member 31 of the elevated water storage component 30 of the system 10. Said cold water pipe 61 being connected to a cold water faucet 42 at said right side sink unit 41A. The left side sink unit 41B of said sink station 40 receives the hot water pipe 62 extending from the end of the boiler tube 25 of the grill unit 21 after said tube 25 exits the grill component of the system 10. Said hot water pipe 62 being connected to a hot water faucet 43 at said left side sink unit 41B. Said sink station 40 further comprises, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 & 4, a pair of drain tubes 44A and 44B extending from the bottom of said left and right side sink units 41A & 41B, respectively. Each said drain tube 44A & B having a top end 45 and a bottom end 46 with the top end 45 of each of said tubes 44A & B being connected, respectively, to the bottom of each of said right and left side sink units 41A & 41B. The bottom ends 46 of said drainage tubes 44A & B are each connected to the waste water storage component 50 of the system 10 as shown for proper drainage and storage of used or contaminated water.

The waste water storage component 50 of the present embodiment comprises a cylindrical tank member 51 for receiving and holding waste or contaminated water from the drainage tubes 44A & B of the sink units 41. A drain valve 52 is positioned at the bottom of said waste water tank member 51 as shown for proper draining and disposal of collected water. Said waste water tank member 51 is structurally positioned within the system 10 so as to be physically lower than the sink units 41 and the other components of the system 10.

In use, the system 10 is towed to a desired location via the transportable platform 70. In operation, cold water flows by means of gravity from the tank member 31 of the elevated storage component 30 of the system 10 and is pressurized with respect to the other components of the system 10 due to the elevated position of said fresh water storage tank member 31. Cold water is piped from said fresh water tank member 31 directly to the cold water faucet 42 of the right side sink unit 41A via the cold water pipe 61 of said piping component 60 for immediate use in food preparation and/or sanitary cleanup. Hot water for the system 10 is created by the presence of pressurized water from said elevated fresh water tank member 31 within the boiler tube 25 of the grill unit 21 wherein said water is caused to absorb heat as combustible material within the grill unit 21 is caused to ignite and burn. Hot water is piped from the exiting point 26 of the boiler tube 25 via the hot water pipe 62 of said piping component 60 directly to the hot water faucet 43 of said left side sink unit 41B for immediate use in food preparation and/or sanitary cleanup. After use, waste or contaminated water collected by the waste water tank member 51 of the waste water storage component 50 during use of the system 10 is caused to be drained and properly disposed or recycled. The fresh water tank member 31 of the elevated storage component 30 is then caused to be refilled with fresh water for future use.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alterations in form, detail and construction may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice same, the invention claimed is:
 1. A portable, self-contained, gravity-fed water system for use with outdoor grills comprising: a transportable platform having: an elevated means for storing fresh water; an elongated grill unit for producing heat; a heat absorption tube contained within said grill unit, wherein said heat absorption tube has a first end and a second end; a sink station; a cold water piping system extending from said elevated fresh water storage means to said first end of said heat absorption tube and to said sink station; a hot water piping system extending from said second end of said heat absorption tube to said sink station; and, a means for receiving and storing used or waste water from said sink station.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevated means for storing fresh water provides pressurized water, through gravity, to said heat absorption tube and to said sink station.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevated means for storing fresh water comprises a refillable container.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat absorption tube extends horizontally through a substantial portion of said grill unit.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sink station comprises a cold water station and a hot water station.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cold water piping system and said hot water piping system terminate in valves located at said sink station.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cold water piping system and said hot water piping system each have a drain port for eliminating water from said piping systems during cold weather or periods of non-use.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for storing used or waste water is located below the sink station and is provided with a drainage valve.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat absorption tube is designed to withstand and absorb heat generated by said grill unit.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transportable platform has two or more wheels and is designed to be towed behind a motorized vehicle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said grill unit is designed to produce heat for absorption by said heat absorption tube through the ignition of combustible materials such as wood or charcoal. 